*PLEASE NOTE- OUR STAFF WILL HAVE A PAPER COPY OF THIS CONTRACT WITH YOUR RESCUED PET'S INFORMATION ON IT AT THE EVENT FOR YOU TO SIGN. YOU ARE WELCOME TO PRINT THE COPY BELOW FOR YOUR RECORDS*

When you adopt through MARS, we ask that you sign our adoption contract. It may seem long and complex, but it only takes a couple minutes to read. You can save yourself time at the adoption event by becoming familiar with the contract before you arrive. It is posted here in its complete form.

A Friendly Note to Adopters: Our adoption agreement is designed with one purpose – to protect the companion animal that has come into our care. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about this agreement. Thank you for your cooperation.

Adopter's Address:________________________________________________

Adopter's Name:__________________________________________________

City:_____________________________State:___________zip:____________

Phone #: (________)_________-___________________

Email:____________________________________________________

PREAMBLE: I/we, the person and/or persons named above, herein after referred to as “adopter,” agree(s) to adopt this dog, known as “_______________” hereinafter known as “dog” or “puppy” on this__________day of_____________, 2019, and release the Midwest Animal Rescue Service, hereinafter referred to as “M.A.R.S.”, and its individual team members, board members, and volunteers, jointly and severally, from all claims for personal injury and/or property damage to myself or others associated with this adoption. The adopter hereby declares that no representation about the nature of the adopted dog, or any representation regarding the nature and extent of legal liability or of responsibility have induced the adopter to sign this contract. In consideration of an adoption fee in the amount of $________, the adopter acknowledges, and further agrees to, these provisions within this Agreement. Initial_________

ADOPTION FEES AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Any fees or contributions, adoption and other, are NON-REFUNDABLE. Each adoption fee not only aids in the cost of care for the pet that you are adopting, but helps to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all animals in our program, transportation to adoption events, and to vet appointments, etc. Your adoption fee (specified within this agreement) covers the care animals receive while in our care. This includes but is not limited to: age appropriate vaccinations (all three puppy for puppies 3 months of age or younger), Bordetella vaccination (kennel cough), age appropriate booster shots, minimum of two rounds of deworming, routine fecal float analysis, Parvo screening for puppies under 4 months, a heartworm test and microfilariae screening for dogs over 6 months, spay or neuter surgery for dogs 6 months and older, microchipping, and microchip registration. Detailed medical records are provided upon adoption and reviewed with the adopter by a M.A.R.S. Team Member. Initial_________

MEDICAL RELEASE: From the date of adoption forward, this dog’s health is the full and sole responsibility of the adopter both physically and financially. M.A.R.S. recommends that adopted pets are seen by a state licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of adoption, or the equivalent of three business days. Adopter agrees to take the dog or puppy to a state licensed veterinarian whenever the animal needs medical attention, including yearly for rabies vaccines required by law, for the life of the dog or puppy. Adopter will arrange for immediate veterinary care in the event of serious illness or injury. M.A.R.S. strictly prohibits the cropping or docking of animals' ears or tails, or any procedures for cosmetic purposes. Should an adopter violate this policy, it will result in immediate repossession of the animal, and fines of up to $1000. In the event an adopted pet must be humanely euthanized, the adopter agrees to release the related veterinary records to M.A.R.S.Initial_________

SPAYING/NEUTERING: This adopted pet must be spayed or neutered, rendering it incapable of reproducing, within 30 days of adoption. This is required by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and proof of this procedure must be mailed to M.A.R.S. after it is completed. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in fines of up to $300.00 and seizure of the animal and/or legal prosecution. If a state-licensed veterinarian unveils a health concern (such as age of the pet) or medical condition that would prevent the surgery from being completed within the specified length of time, the adopter is required to provide M.A.R.S. with a letter from the veterinarian stating the reason for the delay in the surgery. The absolute deadline for the spay or neuter surgery is 6 months of age. A letter with more information about spaying/neutering and how to provide proof of the surgery is provided to each adopter.Initial_________

POST-ADOPTION INFORMATION: I have received the M.A.R.S. post-adoption information, consisting of a MARS adopter letter explaining the adjustment period of adopted pets and where to send my pet’s proof of spay or neuter, a signed copy of my adopted pet’s medical record, and a rack card that specifies recommended toys, treats and cleaning supplies. The post-adoption information has been reviewed with me by a M.A.R.S. Team Member.Initial_________

HOUSING/TRANSPORT: The welfare of this dog or puppy is the sole responsibility of the adopter. The adopter agrees to provide premium pet food or natural diet, fresh water, sanitation and grooming, clean and secure indoor housing, overall safety, and the tender loving care this dog or puppy deserves. Adopter will keep this dog or puppy as an inside pet and family member. Adopter is not permitted to allow this dog or puppy to be housed in any unsuitable or unsafe environment or structure, including, but not limited to, any outbuilding, garage, or unkempt doghouse. This pet will be supervised when outside. It will never be chained or tied outside except for supervised potty breaks, and never permitted to run loose outside without adequate fencing or training. Appropriately sized and constructed crating or kenneling is recommended when adopter is not home, but for no more than 8 hours a day, except for rare extenuating circumstances. The dog or puppy will never be permitted to ride uncontained in the back of a pick-up truck, or any other unenclosed vehicle or left in a vehicle in extreme heat or cold or unattended. Initial_________

COLLAR/LICENSING TAGS: Adopter will legally license this dog or puppy within ten (10) days of adoption if required by the adopter's city or county, and adhere to any leash laws that apply, and assure that the pet is displaying proper identification and any additional required tags. Adopter will keep the dog or puppy clearly identified immediately upon adoption and at all times with a collar holding its identification tag with the owner’s telephone number. Initial_________

CONDUCT OF DOG OR PUPPY: Adopter understands that no one can predict how a dog or puppy will react in a new situation. Therefore, adopter will exercise prudence and caution in introducing this dog or puppy into a new situation until the dog or puppy has become fully adjusted to its new environment and adopter has had an opportunity to become familiar with this dog’s/puppy’s personality. Adopter assumes full responsibility for the conduct of this dog or puppy and for any damage to persons or property. M.A.R.S. makes no explicit or implicit guarantees in reference to the health and/or temperament of the dog/puppy. Initial_________

OTHER USES: This dog or puppy will not be used for rituals, racing, and fighting, medical, or experimental purposes. It will be nothing other than a house pet, companion, and family member, unless the other use is previously approved by M.A.R.S. Other uses that may require prior approval, but are not limited to: service animal, emotional support animal or working farm dog. Initial_________

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP: The ownership and responsibility for this dog or puppy belongs solely to the adopter. If the adopter can no longer keep this dog or puppy or provide proper care, including food, shelter or veterinary care, adopter will contact M.A.R.S. and give the Organization the first right of refusal to re-accept the animal into the adoption program. The dog or puppy shall NOT be sold, given to, or adopted/transferred to anyone else, nor any firm, corporation, or organization, such as another rescue facility, or animal shelter without expressed written permission from M.A.R.S. The Adopter will inform M.A.R.S. if the dog or puppy has any behavioral or medical conditions, which make finding another home inadvisable. If adopter has to return the dog or puppy to M.A.R.S., return transportation is adopter’s responsibility. Adopter agrees and acknowledges that M.A.R.S. is under no obligation to accept animals and can only take them in as space and funding permits. Initial_________

FURTHER CONTACT: Adopter understands that M.A.R.S. may contact him/her for further verification of this dog or puppy’s welfare. Adopter will cooperate by providing whatever information is requested and adopter will permit M.A.R.S. to visit the home or contact the veterinarian, if so requested. Adopter will keep M.A.R.S. informed of any changes of address, email address or telephone number so that records and microchip information may be updated. If the dog or puppy becomes lost or stolen, adopter will notify M.A.R.S. immediately. Initial_________

REPOSSESSION: Adopter understands that, in the event he/she does not follow the terms of this Agreement or adopter neglects or abuses the dog/puppy, M.A.R.S. or another animal authority has the right to take possession of the pet. The adopter agrees to pay M.A.R.S. any and all expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, with regards to enforcing the terms and provision of this Agreement. Initial_________

MIDWEST ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICE has provided any and all information it can with regards to the background and temperament of animals in the adoption program, however, adopter accepts sole responsibility for the dog/puppy based on the information available and provided at the time of this Agreement, and furthermore, was under no obligation to adopt this animal, nor any other animal from M.A.R.S. Adopter acknowledges the fact that animal rescue organizations only know what previous owners have revealed, or very little in the case of a stray, or animals from animal control facilities. Adopter understands that in the event he/she gives false information or does not follow the terms of this contract, M.A.R.S. may reclaim this dog/puppy and start legal proceedings against adopter at adopter’s expense, and may assess damages in the amount of $1,000, plus legal fees, against adopter. Initial_________

RELEASE STATEMENT Adopter(s) of the dog/puppy identified in the Preamble of this Agreement, agree, understand and promises to forever release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless M.A.R.S., or any of its agents or representatives, board members, or any other person associated with this rescue, their heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns from any and all claims, damages, costs, expenses, loss of services, actions and causes of action arising out of bodily injuries, mental anguish or property damage or any other occurrence from the present time on, caused by the adoption of this dog/puppy. Adopter(s) realizes that adopter(s) hereby give up any right to take any legal action whatsoever against M.A.R.S., its agent or representatives, board members, heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns. The animal’s former owner, if known, has voluntarily provided unconfirmed and unverifiable information to this rescue, and M.A.R.S. has undertaken no investigation regarding the breed, history or physical condition of the animal prior to its acceptance into the adoption program. Initial_________

I, herein referred to as “Adopter”, certify that I have read, understand and agree to, the terms of this Pet Adoption Agreement and Release Statement by voluntarily signing below.